Monday 17th June: Bath, Somerset
Leaders: Pauline and Richard Wilson and Helena Crouch
Meet at 10:00 at the lay-by on the Swainswick turn off on the A46, Grid Ref. ST7618768272,what3words: pest.woods.strike.
Bring packed lunch and drinks and snacks for the day. No toilet facilities. Total walking distance 3-4 miles, one steady climb and some steps.
We will visit Little Solsbury Hill, a large hill-fort with views over to Bath. Around the perimeter are rocky limestone outcrops. Plants we may find include Harebell Campanula rotundifolia, Rough Clover Trifolium scabrum, and Knotted Hedge-Parsley Torilis nodosa. There may be remains of Wall Whitlowgrass Drabella muralis and Little Mouse-ear Cerastium semidecandrum.
We will then walk back down the hill to Chilcombe Bottom a species- rich grassland around the remaining lake area of a former reservoir. We should see Common Meadow-rue Thalictrum flavum, Pepper-saxifrage Silaum silas, various orchids and water plants including Galingale Cyperus longus.
To book, contact Janet John wfs.meetings@gmail.com or phone 01753 884490
Tuesday 18th June: Emorsgate Seeds nursery, Bath, Somerset
Leaders: Pauline and Richard Wilson and Helena Crouch
Meet at 10:00 at Emorsgate Seeds nursery, Manor Farm, Langridge, Bath, BA1 8AH, Grid Ref. ST74137 70096, what3words: presume.eternally.steam
Bring picnic lunch and drinks
The owners will show us around and explain how they grow and harvest wild flower seeds. We will be able to spot arable weeds among the sown strips of plants in the fields. Various orchids should be there and possibly Knapweed Broomrape Orobanche elatior.There is also a lovely calcareous bank to explore with uncommon Cut-leaved Self-heal Prunella laciniata.
If time permits, in the afternoon, members will be shown fields that have been sown with Emorsgate seed mixes and see how they are progressing.
To book, contact Janet John wfs.meetings@gmail.com or phone 01753 884490